Suriname with the capital city Paramaribo is located in South America (Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean). It covers some 163,270 square kilometres (slightly larger than Georgia) with 475,000 citizens.

About the flag and history of Suriname

Five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); a large, yellow, five-pointed star is centered in the red band; red stands for progress and love; green symbolizes hope and fertility; white signifies peace, justice, and freedom; the star represents the unity of all ethnic groups; from its yellow light the nation draws strength to bear sacrifices patiently while working toward a golden future.

First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of African slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party coalition - returned to power in 1991. The coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005 and ruled until August 2010, when voters returned former military leader Desire BOUTERSE and his opposition coalition to power.

National administrative regions of Suriname

• Brokopondo
• Commewijne
• Coronie
• Marowijne
• Nickerie
• Para
• Paramaribo
• Saramacca
• Sipaliwini
• Suriname (general)
• Wanica

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